Strategic Advocacy Reference Group

The Strategic Advocacy Reference Group (SARG) has been established (August 2017) to develop and review strategic level advice for Australia ICOMOS in relation to advocacy for cultural heritage in the political and government arenas, with a focus on achieving good heritage practice and heritage outcomes, primarily in the Australian context. It also is tasked with providing ongoing advice in relation to strategic level advocacy to Australia ICOMOS, and to consider advocacy training needs for Australia ICOMOS.

The aim in establishing the Group is to address the lack of a strategic framework for Australia ICOMOS advocacy. It is not intended that the Strategic Advocacy Reference Group develop heritage policy or undertake advocacy per se.**

The Strategic Advocacy Reference Group has been established as a very small and highly expert group comprising eminent professionals with expertise in heritage advocacy and lobbying. Given the highly expert and specific nature of this group membership of this Reference Group is by invitation from the Reference Group Convenor and the Australia ICOMOS President. This however does not preclude interested Australia ICOMOS members from expressing interest in being part of the Reference Group.

As with other Reference Groups, this Reference Group has an ongoing active term, but with membership to be reviewed and refreshed at least every three years.

** Policy development and the undertaking of direct advocacy are seen as activities that would be more appropriate for other Australia ICOMOS members and groups. This does not however preclude the SARG from undertaking these activities if asked to do so by the President or Executive Committee; nor does it preclude members of the SARG from undertaking approved advocacy as individual Australia ICOMOS members.